Troubleshooting
DTC P2A00 A/F SENSOR CIRCUIT SLOW RESPONSE (BANK 1 SENSOR 1)HINT:
- DTC P2A00 means malfunction related to the bank 1 A/F sensor.
- DTC P2A03 means malfunction related to the bank 2 A/F sensor.
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
DTC Detecting Condition:
The A/F sensor provides output voltage* approximately equal to the existing air-fuel ratio. The A/F sensor output voltage is used to provide feedback for the ECM to control the air-fuel ratio.
With the A/F sensor output, the ECM can determine deviation from the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and control proper injection time. If the A/F sensor is malfunctioning, the ECM is unable to accurately control air-fuel ratio.
The A/F sensor is equipped with a heater which heats the zirconia element. The heater is also controlled by the ECM. When the intake air volume is low (the temperature of the exhaust gas is low), current flows to the heater to heat the sensor to facilitate detection of accurate oxygen concentration.
The A/F sensor is a planar type. Compared to a conventional type, the sensor and heater portions are narrower. Because the heat of the heater is conducted through the alumina to zirconia (of the sensor portion), sensor activation is accelerated.
To obtain a high purification rate of the CO, HC and NOx components of the exhaust gas, a three-way catalytic converter is used. The converter is most efficient when the air-fuel ratio is maintained near the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
*: The voltage value changes on the inside of the ECM only.
HINT:
- Bank 1 refers to the bank that includes cylinder No. 1.
- Bank 2 refers to the bank that includes cylinder No. 2.
- Sensor 1 refers to the sensor closest to the engine assembly.
MONITOR DESCRIPTION
Monitor Strategy:
Typical Enabling Conditions:
Typical Malfunction Thresholds:
Monitor Result (Mode 06 Data):
The air-fuel ratio (A/F) sensor varies its output voltage in proportion to the air-fuel ratio. Based on the output voltage, the ECM determines if the air-fuel ratio is RICH or LEAN and adjusts the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. The ECM also checks the fuel injection volume compensation value to check if the A/F sensor is deteriorating or not. The output voltage variation, known as locus length, should be high when the air-fuel ratio fluctuates.
When the A/F sensor response rate has deteriorated, the locus length should be short.
The ECM concludes that there is a malfunction in the A/F sensor when the locus length is short and the response rate has deteriorated.
Wiring Diagram:
Step 1 - 2:
Step 2(Continued):
Step 3 - 4:
Step 5:
Step 6 - 12:
Step 12 (Continued) - 17:
Step 18 - 19:
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
HINT:
Hand-held tester only:
It is possible the malfunctioning area can be found using the ACTIVE TEST A/F CONTROL operation. The A/F CONTROL operation can determine if the A/F sensor, heated oxygen sensor or other potential trouble areas are malfunctioning or not.
a. Perform the ACTIVE TEST A/F CONTROL operation.
HINT:
The A/F CONTROL operation lowers the injection volume 12.5% or increases the injection volume 25%.
1. Connect the hand-held tester to the DLC3 on the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition switch ON.
3. Warm up the engine by running the engine at 2,500 rpm for approximately 90 seconds.
4. Enter the following menus: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL.
5. Perform the A/F CONTROL operation with the engine in an idle condition (press the right or left button).
Result:
A/F sensor reacts in accordance with increase and decrease of injection volume:
+25 % -> RICH output: Less than 3.0 V
-12.5 % -> LEAN output: More than 3.35 V
Heated oxygen sensor reacts in accordance with increase and decrease of injection volume:
+25 % -> RICH output: More than 0.55 V
-12.5 % -> LEAN output: Less than 0.4 V
NOTE: The A/F sensor output has a few seconds of delay and the heated oxygen sensor output has about 20 seconds of delay at maximum.
The following procedure of A/F CONTROL enables the user to check its output (show its graph indication) of A/F sensor and heated oxygen sensor.
To display the graph, enter ACTIVE TEST/ A/F CONTROL/USER DATA, then select "AFS B1S1 and O2S B1S2" or "AFS B2S1 and O2S B2S2" by pressing the "YES" button followed by the "ENTER" button and then the "F4" button.
HINT:
- DTC P2A00 or P2A03 may be also detected, when the air-fuel ratio is stuck rich or lean.
- A low A/F sensor voltage could be caused by a RICH air-fuel mixture. Check for conditions that would cause the engine to run with a RICH air-fuel mixture.
- A high A/F sensor voltage could be caused by a LEAN air-fuel mixture. Check for conditions that would cause the engine to run with a LEAN air-fuel mixture.
- Read freeze frame data using the hand-held tester or the OBD II scan tool. Freeze frame data records the engine conditions when a malfunction is detected. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can help determine if the vehicle was running or stopped, if the engine was warmed up or not, if the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, and other data from the time the malfunction occurred.
CONFIRMATION DRIVING PATTERN
Confirmation Driving Pattern:
a. Connect the hand-held tester to the DLC3.
b. Switch the hand-held tester from normal mode to check mode.
c. Start the engine and warm it up with all the accessory switched OFF.
d. Drive the vehicle at 38 to 75 mph (60 to 120 km/h) and engine speed at 1,400 to 3,200 rpm for 3 to 5 minutes.
HINT: If a malfunction exists, the MIL will be illuminated during step (d).
NOTE: If the conditions in this test are not strictly followed, no malfunction will be detected. If you do not have a hand-held tester, turn the ignition switch OFF after performing steps (c) and (d), then perform steps (c) and (d) again.
CHECK FOR INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS
HINT:
Hand-held tester only:
Inspect the vehicle's ECM using check mode. Intermittent problems are easier to detect when the ECM is in check mode with a hand-held tester. In check mode, the ECM uses 1 trip detection logic, which has a higher sensitivity to malfunctions than normal mode (default) using 2 trip detection logic.
a. Clear the DTCs.
b. Set the check mode.
c. Perform a simulation test.
d. Check the connector and terminal.
e. Wiggle the harness and connector.